Matukewicz to bring 'really unique skill sets' to event in Sikeston

“I don’t believe anybody is ever DONE getting better. I have to get better. I have all sorts of stuff in my life that has to get better.”

The reigning Ohio Valley Conference Football Coach of the Year made that self-assessment recently, and 10th-year Southeast Missouri State coach Tom Matukewicz isn’t just spouting words, he backs his self-critique up with action.

Walk into Matukewicz’s office at the Rosengarten Athletic Complex and glance behind his desk. He has a stack of 20 books on leadership and success, one of which is “Good to Great,” by author Jim Collins.

“It’s what you compare (your current level) to,” Matukewicz said. “Do you want to be an NFL player? Do you want to be a great husband?

“There is a lot of room for improvement where we need to get better.”

That will be the overriding theme on June 27 when Matukewicz hosts a special summer edition of his professional development seminar, L.E.A.D. Revival.

"This is a fundraiser with all proceeds going toward summer expenses for our student-athletes,” Matukewicz explained. “We want to give our community something in return for their generous support and invite people to participate in this awesome opportunity.”

The event, which is presented by Alan Wire, will be held at the City of Miner Convention Center with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The final day to register is Friday, June 23.

The seminar will be the third conducted by Matukewicz, who has developed a passion for educating people from all walks of life on leadership.

“I don’t watch TV or surf the internet,” Matukewicz said. “I don’t have social media. So, if I have an hour at night, I will read a book about leadership.

“Not for any other reason other than it interests me.”

The attendees at the seminar will learn the art of leadership and building and maintaining a championship culture.

Matukewicz, who is the most successful football coach in Redhawk football history at the Division I level, will deliver three keynote speeches on leadership.

The attendees will be involved in discussion groups with SEMO football assistant coaches and student-athletes.

The L.E.A.D. Revival concludes with a forum of regional leaders focusing on the art of leadership.

“This is an excellent way to make you a better leader,” Matukewicz said.

Without question, Matukewicz has a passion for leadership of a football program. He made that decision when he was in junior high school and has never looked back. However, what those in attendance will discover is that Matukewicz is a much more layered individual than what Redhawk fans see on the sidelines of Houck Field on Saturdays in the fall.

“If football ended tomorrow,” Matukewicz said, “my dream job would be to run a family business. I’ve got really unique skill sets, and to be able to use those skills to help a family accomplish a really hard mission would be amazing.”

The cost of attendance is $200 per individual/professional, $2,500 per table of eight, and $100 per educator, coach, or student.

The cost includes lunch, a L.E.A.D. Revival Playbook, and complimentary gift courtesy of the event sponsors. Quarter sponsors are LBF, Focus Bank, Mitchell Insurance, First State Bank and Trust, Sikeston Jaycees, and Montgomery Bank.

“I get to lead with my co-workers and players now,” Matukewicz said, “but to do that with my wife and (two) daughters would be amazing.

“I would just love to help a team accomplish some really tough (tasks) because I don’t want to waste the skill sets that I have learned and earned through the coaching profession.”

To register, visit the website SEMORedhawks.com/Lead.